Phosphorus Protons Neutrons Electrons (How to Find them?)

Phosphorus has 15 protons, 16 neutrons and 15 electrons.

But how will you find the number of protons, neutrons and electrons in Phosphorus (P)?

Well, it is very easy to find the protons, neutrons and electrons of phosphorus atom.

Here I have given a very simple method for finding the protons, neutrons and electrons of phosphorus atom.

Let’s dive right into it!

Finding the Protons, Neutrons and Electrons in Phosphorus

How to find protons?

• The number of protons can be found by knowing the atomic number of that atom. ^[1]

How to find neutrons?

• The number of neutrons can be found by subtracting the atomic number from its atomic mass.

How to find electrons?

• For a neutral atom, the number of electrons can be found by knowing the atomic number of that atom.

Let’s calculate the number of protons, neutrons and electrons in phosphorus.

If you don’t want to read, then you can also watch this video.

#1 Number of Protons in Phosphorus

If you have a periodic table with you, then most of the answers are in front of you.

You can see the elements, their atomic number and their atomic mass from the periodic table.

Now here our element is Phosphorus (P).

So from the above periodic table, you can see that the atomic number of phosphorus is 15.

As the atomic number of phosphorus is 15, it has a total of 15 protons in its nucleus.

Thus, the number of protons in Phosphorus is 15.

#2 Number of Neutrons in Phosphorus

In order to find the number of neutrons of phosphorus atom, you should know its atomic mass first.

The number of neutrons in phosphorus can be obtained by subtracting the atomic number from its atomic mass.

The atomic mass of phosphorus is 30.974 u (which you can round it to 31). ^[2]

So from this atomic mass (i.e 31), you have to subtract its atomic number (i.e 15).

So you will get 31 – 15 = 16.

Thus, the number of neutrons in Phosphorus is 16.

#3 Number of Electrons in Phosphorus

For a neutral atom, the number of electrons and the number of protons are the same.

Here, the phosphorus atom is a neutral atom.

So the number of electrons in phosphorus is equal to its number of protons (which is also equal to its atomic number).

In the beginning, we have found that the number of protons in phosphorus is 15.

Thus, the number of electrons in Phosphorus is 15.

Summary

Number of Protons in Phosphorus

• The number of protons can be found by knowing the atomic number of that atom.
• Number of Protons in Phosphorus = Atomic number of Phosphorus = 15

Number of Neutrons in Phosphorus

• The number of neutrons can be found by subtracting the atomic number from its atomic mass.
• Number of Neutrons in Phosphorus = Atomic mass of Phosphorus – Atomic number of Phosphorus = 31 – 15 = 16

Number of Electrons in Phosphorus

• For a neutral atom, the number of electrons can be found by knowing the atomic number of that atom.
• Number of Electrons in Phosphorus = Atomic number of Phosphorus = 15

I hope you have understood the simple method for finding the protons, neutrons and electrons of phosphorus atom.

Check out related topics for more practice;
Sulfur protons neutrons electrons
Chlorine protons neutrons electrons
Argon protons neutrons electrons
Germanium protons neutrons electrons
Arsenic protons neutrons electrons